FUN WITH MAPS ISSUE 2026-120

By Steve Kovacs (Introduction by Chuck Gibson)

LOVELAND, OH (July 13, 2026) – This edition of places us on “the pitch” for the historic first-ever World Cup final match.

Goooooooaaaal!!!!

Soccer, or football to most people globally, is by far the most popular sport on the planet.

The first World Cup was organized and held in Uruguay with the finals on July 13, 1930, and the host nation won.

The nations participating in the event every four years grew from the original 13 to 48 in the current World Cup held in US, Mexico and Canada.  Rumors are that 64 teams may kick the ball in four years. 

There have been 24 World Cups completed, and European nations won 14 times and South Americans won the other 10.  Brazil won the most frequently – five.

In the past several decades nations in Asia, Africa and North America became more competitive and it is only a matter of time before the European and South American dominance is broken.

The 25th World Cup will crown its winner on Sunday, July 19, at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey.

Given the most championships, here we present Brazil’s map from 1850 by Tallis.

Steve Kovacs and his wife Theresa reside in Loveland, Ohio where they raised their two children. He is a passionate collector of antique maps. Visit his antique map boutique world-on-paper online. Watch for his daily feature Fun with Maps here on Loveland Beacon.